Wolf Teeth - H and H article.

[burtie]

Interesting article in this weeks H and H about Wolf Teeth. The vet doing the article didn't feel it necessary to automatically remove them for most horses. I have always been taught they must come out so what are people's views on this?

 

[TGM]

I found that article very interesting. I've often wondered whether some wolf teeth are taken out unnecessarily and whether their removal makes much difference. For this reason I put off having my mare's wolf teeth removed. However, I finally bit the bullet and had them removed earlier this year and it has definitely made her much better in her mouth and she takes a much more consistent contact.

 

[Louby]

I had my boys wolf teeth out because he has an issue with his mouth. I was convinced he would be better afterwards but it made no difference to him. Ive now realised his problem has stemmed from my riding, Im not heavy handed just inconsistant with my contact With lessons Ive improved massively and he is slowly getting better although I think its now a habit.

 

[tiggersdad]

Professor Gordon Baker the worlds leading dental expert gave a lecture at a BEVA conference and described the procedure as "Everest Lexus one" which meant you could charge a lot for something which was in most cases completely unnecessary. I am not aware of any study which shows any benefit for wolf tooth removal other than the vets pocket. There are many horses with wolf teeth whose owners are unaware.Quite often tushes or canines are mistaken for wolf teeth.

 

[vicijp]

I dont think £10 a go is going to pay for any holidays.
Ive had older horses come to me with wolf teeth (8+) and they havent bothered them at all, so left them.
If a horse isnt mouthed yet, there is no indication of whether they will make a difference or not. Its not a risk im prepared to take, so they come out before they have a bit in their mouth. I have a horse at the moment who has done a months sales prep with 2 horrendous wolf teeth. I couldnt get near him with a bit for a week, and he wont mouth at all at trot - just charges off with his head bolt upright in the air.
There is a study for you - I could easily describe 20 others that have been similar.

 

[VictoriaEDT]

In my opinion I would agree with the vet in the article. Wolf teeth only really become a problem if they are on an angle. If they have errupted straigt down through the gum line and are not displaced then leave well alone. It is only really when the teeth erupt on an angle on are "blind" below the gumline then they should be removed if they bother the horse (head shaking, rearing etc).

wolf teeth are reminants of a pre molar. Horses have evolved not to need this first premolar (Number 5) any more and the wolf tooth visible today are one of the roots of the old tooth. They are very very little and vary in size from about the size of a grain of rice to about the size of a little finger nail.

Hope this makes sense!

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